‘I want the last death to be as soon as possible’: grieving father speaks

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His son's death has left Mr Philippson opposed to the war in AfghanistanMatt Lloyd/Times & Canon Young Photographer of the Year

Tom Coghlan

Last updated at 12:01AM, June 22 2010

There are few ornaments in Tony Philippson’s house. Perched on a shelf in the
front room is a framed photograph of a sunburnt young man, stubble on his
chin, a sniper rifle in his hands. Two medals are mounted on the wall; next
to them is a letter of condolence from the Queen, honouring Captain James
Philippson, the first British soldier to die in Helmand.

They illustrate the obsessive focus of Captain Philippson’s father in the four
years since his son’s death.

An officer with 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, Captain Philippson was part of a
force detailed to train